About the Blue Dun Trout Fly

This fly is reputed to be one of Charles Cotton's ( 1630-1687), or at the very least, had an important place in his flybox. This ancient pattern has been a consistantly successful pattern when tied to horsehair in 1600s' or to todays fluorocarbon tippets. If you have only a few patterns of flies to choose from, be certain and to bring the Blue Dun for your early season fishing.

Expert Tip:

This fly lives three or four days in the state represented : then becomes the Red Spinner. It begins to be plentiful in the early part of March. Alfred Ronald's ' The Fly- Fisher's Entomology (1836)

Creator of this trout fly: Charles Cotton

Tier of this trout fly: Mandy Shelvey

Country of origin for this trout fly: England

This trout fly is designed to be fished on Rivers & Streams

Dressings

• Suggested original tying
• Hook : 12 - 14
• Thread : Grey
• Tail : Medium blue dun hen's hackle
• Body : Blue rabbit fur
• Wing : Starling
• Hackle : Medium blue dun hen

There are variations on the body dressing, the blue fur of Rabbit, mole or water rat can be used and 300 years ago the down from a greyhound was recommended by Charles Cotton Ribbing is sometimes added ie. Yellow tying silk or fine silver wire Partridge L3B Captain Hamilton Dry Fly Up Eye